Gary

Managing apostle and whiskey enthusiast

Aberlour Casg Annamh

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

Aberlour Casg Annamh
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48% ABV
$60 – $70
Website
Aberlour Casg Annamh

What the Distillery Says

Translating as ‘Rare Cask’ in Gaelic, Casg Annamh is created from a limited number of carefully selected casks. These Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry casks/butts have a significant influence on the non-chill filtered liquid and perfectly complement Aberlour’s distillate flavour, bringing sweet and rich notes. Casg Annamh is a distinctively rich Single Malt providing adventurous malt lovers with the ideal introduction to Sherry cask matured whiskies.

Nose: Rich and sweet with fruity notes of tangy orange, glazed cherries, raisins and a hint of ginger.
Palate: Sweet and fruity flavours of apple and cinnamon crumble and ripe peaches balanced with spicy notes of liquorice and cloves.
Finish: Long and rich. Fruity with a touch of dry spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak, dark fruit, dates, cherries, caramel, spice, hint of dark chocolate, smokey, subtle sulfur note.
Palate:  Rich and sweet before sharpening with spice, caramel, honey over dark fruit, black cherries, bit of orange.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with oak and spice.
Comments:  A tad dry for my liking, and something about the sulfur notes I get with Aberlour just don’t land in my wheelhouse. If you’re a fan of Aberlour, this is probably right up your alley, but for me was closer to middle of the road.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Glenmorangie Signet

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Signet
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$175 – $250
Website
Glenmorangie Signet

What the Distillery Says

A fusion of unique and rare elements, and clouded in secrecy, Signet is the culmination of a lifetime’s experience. A blend of our oldest whisky and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks, this undoubtedly is the richest whisky in our range.

Of course, whilst the exact secrets of its production are known only to our whisky creators, we can tell you that Signet’s melting sweetness and explosive spiciness is, at least in part, caused by our unique roasted ‘chocolate’ barley malt and the ‘designer casks’ made bespoke for Glenmorangie from American white oak. Non chill-filtered

Aroma: A strong Aruba espresso fused with a treacly plum pudding, rich with sherry, and candied orange peel.
Taste: A contrast of rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha.
Finish: A fresh spring-like breeze of mint with a bright citrus lemony-green quality.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and oaky, plums, black cherry, raisins, figs, blood orange, dark roast coffee, honey, fruitcake, hint of anise and a slight touch of balsamic.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with oranges and peaches, chocolate, allspice, pepper, a touch of cinnamon and cocktail bitters.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with a slight citrus note over herbal undertones.
Comments:  While Glenmorangie isn’t my favorite distillery, this is pretty delicious.  More spicy than your standard Glenmorangie for sure, which I enjoy.  Easily one of my favorites from this distillery, although wow – they sure are proud of it.  I think that their Quinta Ruban (either 12 yr or 14 yr version) is pretty tasty, and a really solid value.  While I definitely like this better – I guess I’m too cheap (no news flash to those who know me!)

Rating: Must Try

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Glenmorangie The Duthac

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie The Duthac
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$70 – 100 (1 Liter)
Website
Glenmorangie The Duthac

What the Distillery Says

Part Finished in Pedro Ximénez & Virgin Oak Casks
At the centre of the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-shire, in the far north of Scotland where the Glenmorangie Distillery has stood proudly since 1843, lies the resting place of St Duthac. During the Middle Ages, the legends of his workings drew travellers from far and wide on pilgrimages to the ancient burgh.

A whisky fit for a King, this expression honours the annual pilgrimage made by King James IV to the shrine of St Duthac in Tain, and is part of Glenmorangie Legends – a collection of single malt whiskies exclusive to Travel Retail, inspired by the legendary lands that have been home to the Glenmorangie Distillery since 1843.

Aroma: Seductive aromas of pear, toffee apple, Brazil nuts in toffee, with an underlying spicy note, some toasty oak. With a splash of water, some creamy vanilla fudge is encountered, along with the classic Sherry cask note of linseed oil.

Taste: Mouth-filling flavours of milk chocolate, toffee, Brazil nuts, leather and some aniseed. The spiciness is definite, but gentle, with hints of ginger and clove.

Finish: The aftertaste once again reminds drinkers that this is a Glenmorangie, with vanilla, apricots in cream and some almond marzipan.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey malt with subtle fruit, citrus, raisins, tangerines, milk chocolate, nutty, tad floral with exotic spices.
Palate:  Fruity with spice, citrus, honey, dates, nutmeg, pepper spice.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with a bit of fruit and pepper spice.
Comments:  I received this sample as part of a Flaviar tasting box, and honestly didn’t know much about it (other than it was ‘non-age stated’ and 43%).  Being a travel retail exclusive, something I’m not likely to run across anytime soon.  This is a very nice, pleasant dram, and if I found myself in a Duty Free heading home with room in my bag and nothing else better – I might grab one (although there are a lot I’d grab first, like Laphroaig PX Cask – also a 1 liter bottle for about the same coin).  Nothing offputting mind you – just my personal preference.

Rating: Stands Out

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10th Street Distiller’s Cut Single Malt American Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

10th Street Distiller’s Cut Single Malt
American Whisky

44% ABV
$65
Website
10th Street Distillers Cut Peated Single Malt
We would like to thank 10th Street Distillery and Feature M for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Distiller’s Cut is a malt lover’s dream. We stick to Old World tradition for our boldest, smokiest whisky using all copper stills, imported Scottish barley, and age it in bourbon barrels. This Scottish American fusion hints of citrus and berry while delivering a woody, earthy, and smoky statement.

TASTING NOTES
Nose: Sour nose with bright citrus, vanilla, and peat; heavy mesquite smoke
Color: Golden
Palate: Sweet high notes of blackberry, brown sugar, honey, and molasses; bran cereal, burning chocolate.
Finish: Smooth and lingering on the sides and back of the tongue

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and fruity, peat smoke, green oak, broiled meat with sea salt; bit of water brings out more earthiness and mineral notes.
Palate:  Vanilla, caramel, apples, peat, a bit of peanut butter, nutmeg and pepper; bit of water really thickens the mouthfeel nicely.
Finish:  Moderately long with peanut butter, peat and apples.
Comments:  This was a clear step up from the Peated Single Malt in my book. I’ve gotten ‘peanut’ in drams before (Jim Beam’s house style has a peanutty tang to me), but this was different. I think this is probably the best two year old whisky I’ve tried (bottle states “whisky aged at least two years in reused cooperage”). In a blind side by side, this was clearly similar to the Peated Single Malt, but more rich and thick. I do hope that they mature some of this further (and consider bottling at a higher proof). If you’re a whiskey geek and looking to try something unique (and especially if you’re in the San Jose area), I’d definitely look to try this one.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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10th Street Peated Single Malt American Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

10th Street Peated Single Malt
American Whisky

46% ABV
$65
Website
10th Street Peated Single Malt
We would like to thank 10th Street Distillery and Feature M for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our Peated Single Malt has been inspired by classic Scottish production methods and fueled by American innovation. We source peated barley from Scotland, use mineral rich water from Sierra snowmelt, and age in bourbon barrels for a whisky that is smoky, fruity, and well rounded.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Citrus, with a peat smoke essence
Color: Light golden
Palate: Creamy full flavors of vanilla and dark red apple peels, turning into rounded peat flavors. A delicate balance of fruity and smoky notes.
Finish: Full bodied, buttery, with a lingering peaty finish

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat smoke, hint of green oak, subtle tangerines and apricots.
Palate:  Vanilla, caramel, peat, apple crumble without any cinnamon, slight pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with peat, apples and pepper.
Comments:  This is a nicely done peated American single malt. Unique and interesting. Again, I’m surprised at it’s youth as the bottle states “whisky stored for one year in reused cooperage” (oddly phrased, but more direct than “at least 1 year”). Another pretty young whisky that surprises me as being worth drinking.

Rating: Stands Out

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